May 20, 1953 Student Council meeting minutes

Library MINUTES OF STUDENT COUNCIL 4:00 P.M. Wed. May 20, 1953 The meeting was called to order by the president, Jim Addy. The minutes were read and appriced. The treasurer gave his report stating that $5,41 has been spent for May Day expenses. He urged that all organizations who wanted money for next year submit tentative budgets to Curt Wolfe who is in charge of the budget hearings, at the final budget hearing, which will be held in the Green Room at seven-thirty this evening. The following organizxations have not as yet submitted budgets: Classes of '54 and '56, the F.T.A., I.R.C.N.H.G. cheer leaders, marshalls, the Publication, Aviation Club, and Student Center. The budget of the last mentioned organization is to be submitted next year. Next, Jim called for a report from Al Pomory, the chairman of the absence-policy committee. As stated that there are three main ideas that are generally disliked in our present policy. They are: 1. Three unexcused absences because of the read tape involved in getting legal excuses from class. 2. Too much red tape for Miss Tibbetts in sending out notices. 3. Missing one fift of the class meetings results in automatic failure. Al went on to say that in order for our proposed absence policy to succeed, there must be faith between students, faculty, and Administration. The changes in the policy are as follows: In Section I-C, the part "If prior arrangements were not feasible, to explain the reason for the absence" was cut out. Unter II-B, this statement was added: "They must not fail students for absence alone." Al suggested that the Council approve the policy and recommend it to the faculty with our interpretations of it so as to avoid misunderstanding in ensuing years. Al then suggested, from his own personal opinions, that the policy state that names of students not be turned in until they have been absent one fifth of their class hours. Then the names could be turned in if the faculty member wished to do so. This would involve that part of the policy which states that "Faculty members are expected to consider differences in abilities and backgrounds of students in administering the absence policy." Miss Woodward said that we could actually never interpret what teachers would do about absences. It would require mutual faith between the faculty member and student. Much discussion was held and there was some confusion. A question was raised as to whether or not we had a quorum to vote on the question of approving the policy. We did have a quorum. Faye Davis asked if this would be a vote of the Student Council or merely a group of students. Jim Addy said it would be a vote of a group of students and would not carry the name of the Student Council with it when it comes before the faculty meeting on Thursday P.M., May 21. Don Knox made a motion that we accept the proposed absence policy including the changes made by the group and without Al's suggestion of the one fifth change. The motion was seconded and a vote was taken. The following people were opposed: Aliceann Perkins, Lorraine Walke, Betty Hartley, Mary Lou England, and Christine Baugh. The motion was carried. Jim then suggested that the primary elections for Vice President of the S.G.A. be held on Monday, May 25, and the final exection be held on May 27. There were no objections to this suggestion; therefore,, that is when elections will be held.